Dell 2003 Annual Report Download - page 38

Table of Contents
DELL INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 — Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business — Dell Inc. (formerly Dell Computer Corporation), a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively referred to
as "Dell") designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports a wide range of computer systems and services that are customized to customer
requirements. These include enterprise systems (servers, storage and networking products, and workstations), client systems (notebooks and desktops),
software and peripherals, and service and support programs. Dell markets and sells its products and services directly to its customers, which include large
corporate, government, healthcare and education accounts, as well as small-to-medium businesses and individual consumers.
Fiscal Year — Dell's fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Friday nearest January 31. Fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002 all included 52 weeks.
Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Dell is currently a partner in Dell Financial Services L.P. ("DFS"), a joint venture with CIT Group Inc. ("CIT"). The joint venture allows Dell to provide its
customers with various financing alternatives while CIT provides the financing between DFS and the customer for certain transactions. In January 2003, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN 46 provides
that if an entity is the primary beneficiary of a Variable Interest Entity ("VIE"), the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the VIE should be
consolidated in the entity's financial statements. Based on the guidance in FIN 46, Dell concluded that DFS is a VIE and Dell is the primary beneficiary of
DFS's expected cash flows. Accordingly, Dell began consolidating DFS's financial results at the beginning of the third quarter of fiscal 2004. See Note 6 of
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of management's estimates. These estimates are
subjective in nature and involve judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at fiscal
year end, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the fiscal year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of purchase are carried at cost plus
accrued interest, which approximates fair value, and are considered to be cash equivalents. All other investments not considered to be cash equivalents are
separately categorized as investments.
Investments — Dell's investments in debt securities and publicly traded equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market
value (based on quoted market prices) using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of
stockholders' equity. Realized gains and losses on investments are included in investment and other income (loss), net when realized. All other investments
are initially recorded at cost and charged against income when a decline in the fair market value of an individual security is determined to be other-than-
temporary.
Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis.
Property, Plant, and Equipment — Property, plant, and equipment are carried at depreciated cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over
the estimated economic lives of the assets, which range from 10 to 30 years for buildings and two to five years for all other assets.
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